Resettable visual signal indicator



Jan. 11, 1966 D. E. PALMER RESETTABLE VISUAL SIGNAL INDICATOR 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1960 DONALD E. PALMER INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,229,282 RESETTABLE VISUAL SIGNAL INDECATGR DonaldE. Palmer, Berkeley, Calif., assignor to Secode Corporation, SanFrancisco, Calif.

Filed June 1, 1960, Ser. No. 33,170 6 Claims. (Cl. 340-378) Thisinvention relates to visual signal indicators and more particularly to anew and improved anuunciator for registering coded electrical signals.

In radio communication systems, particularly in mobile signaltransmitting and receiving units, it is frequently impractical toprovide continuous monitoring of a r ceiver for incoming messages. Inthe absence of a signal registering device at a receiver, transmittedmessages may be lost whenever the receiver is unattended. Althoughsignal annunciators are known in the art which are capable ofregistering distince output indications in response to partcular appliedcontrol signals, the number of distinct signals which may be registeredis generally limited. Furthermore, known annunciators generally consumea substantial amount of power which is a disadvantage where a batteryoperated receiver is employed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved signal annunciating device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coded signalannunciator which is simple and rugged in construction for use withmobile receiver units.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a signalannunciator which is capable of furnishing any one of a plurality ofsignal indications for an indefinite period until reset withoutconsuming electrical power.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a new and improvedannunciator, or visual signal indicator, in which individual ones of aplurality of light interrupting shutters are released in response tocoded electrical One particular embodiment of the invention incorporatesa face plate having a plurality of apertures therein, each individuallyassociated with a spring loaded shutter. In a released position, theshutters are displaced from their associated apertures so as to permitthe passage of light therethrough from a light source mounted behind theface plate. The shutters are mounted on a rotatable plate to which isattached a reset knob. When the plate is rotated by the reset knob, eachshutter is moved into position to cover its associated aperture.Positioned behind each shutter is a corresponding control solenoidhaving a spring loaded movable coaxial core of a magnetic material. Inan extended position, each core serves as a stop for its associatedshutter. Thus, when the shutters are moved to cover the apertures byrotating the reset knob, they are held in reset position by thecorresponding magnetic cores of the solenoids. In accordance with theinvention, the solenoids are arranged to be energized in a selectivemanner by binary coded signals so that when a particular solenoid isenergized, its magnetic core is drawn down into the solenoid, thusreleasing the associated spring loaded shutter to uncover thecorresponding aperture. This permits light to shine through the apertureso that in accordance with the invention, the selective energization ofthe solenoids provides a predetermined arrangment of light and darkapertures, thus affording an indication of a particular signalapplied tothe solenoids. Moreover, each shutter, when released by the core of itsassociated solenoid, remains in a released position until reset by therotation of the reset lmob. Thus, it can be seen that, in accordancewith the invention, a registration of a message may be maintained for anindefinite period without requiring electrical power.

A better understanding of the invention may be had 3,229,282 PatentedJan. 11, 1966 from a reading of the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the drawings throughout the several views of whichlike reference characters have been employed to designate like parts andin which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a signal annunciator in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partially broken away, of the annunciator of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the annunciator of FIGS. 1 and 2 withthe face plate and collar removed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the face plate and shutter mechanism of theannunciator of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of part of the annunciator of FIG. 1 takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the face plate similar to FIG. 5 except thatthe shutters are shown in reset position; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a control circuit for energizingan annunciator in accordance with the invention.

In FIG. 1 there is shown an annunciator in accordance with theinvention, including an apertured face plate 1. Each of the apertures ofthe face plate I may be cordance with signals applied to theannunciator. A reset mitting light to provide a visual representation inaccordance with signals applied to the annunciator. A reset knob 4 ismounted in the center of the face plate 1 on a shaft 14 (FIG. 6) whichextends through the face plate 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the annunciator of FIG. 1 with a portion of thecollar 2 being cut away for purposes of illustration. The face plate 1,the jewels 3, and the reset knob 4 are visible through the cut awaysection. The face plate 1 and retaining collar 2 are attached to asolenoid assembly housing 5 which in turn is fastened to a mountingbracket 6 for the mounting of the assembly as desired, as, for example,to the instrument panel of an automobile. Electrical connection wiresare brought into the housing 5 through a cable 7.

Within the housing 5 are a number of solenoids 8a through 8e (FIG. 3)each having a movable core 9 of a magnetic material. A lamp it) servesto cast light on the underside of the face plate 1 so that light may bepassed by selected ones of the jeweled lenses 3a-3e as described below.

FIG. 4 is a sectional vieW of the solenoid assembly housing 5 of FIG. 3taken along the line 44. In this view can be seen two of the solenoids8a and 8b with their magnetic cores 9a and 9b. Each core 9 is encased byan associated spiral spring 11 which normally holds the core 9 in anextended position as is shown in the case of the core 9a. When aparticular solenoid 8 is energized, however, its magnetic core 9 isretracted against the force of its associated spring 11. In FIG. 4 thecore 912 is shown retracted against its spring 11 as it would be by theenergization of the solenoid 85.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the face plate 1 of FIG. 1 and shows a shuttermounting plate 12 to which are fastened a plurality of shutters 13athrough 13a. The shutter mounting plate 12 is adapted to be rotated bythe reset knob 4 of FIG. 1 via the shaft 14. Each of the shutters 13 isnormally held in a release position by a corresponding shutter spring15. Similarly, the shutter mounting plate 12 is normally maintained in areleased position by the force of the shutter mounting plate spring 16.The circles 9 indicate the positions of the ends of the solenoid cores 9of FIG. 3 with respect to the shutters 13.

Attached to the face plate 1 between the shutter mounting plate 12. andthe face plate 1 are a plurality of shutter guide lugs 17 which causethe corresponding shutters 13 to rotate about their respective shutterpins 18 when the shutter mounting plate 12 is rotated to the resetposition. The two positions of the shutters are illustrated in FIG. 5 bythe solid and dashed line views of the shutter 13b. The dashed outline13b illustrates a shutter in the reset position in which it ismaintained against the force of its retaining spring by its solenoidcore 9. Similarly, 131; represents the shutter in its released positionto which it is directed by its retaining spring 15 when itscorresponding solenoid core 9 is retracted. In FIG. 5 the shutter 13d isshown in the released position so that its corresponding jewelled lens3d is uncovered and light from the lamp 1!) of FIG. 3 is enabled to passtherethrough.

In the sectional view of FIG. 6 it can be seen that the upper core 9a isin an extended position, thus maintaining its associated shutter 13areset. However, the lower core 9d is retracted, corresponding to theenergization of its associated solenoid 8d so that the shutter 13d ispermitted to assume its released position.

FIG. 7 is another rear view of the face plate 1 and mounting assembly 12showing the various elements in the reset position which is assumed whenthe mounting plate 12 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction asindicated by the solid arrows. The dashed line arrows indicate thedirections taken by the respective elements when the mounting plate 12returns from the reset position under the force of its retaining spring16. During the resetting each of the shutters rotates about its shutterpin 18 and moves inward slightly as it slides against the is shownhaving individual output leads connected respectively to the solenoids8a through 8e. A return path for the control signal pulses 19 isprovided at a reference potential.

In the operation of the annunciator of the invention, signals may bereceived which are indicative of a selected one of the dilferentmessages which have been given prearranged code designations. The signaldecoder 20 receives and decodes the signal and produces individualcontrol signal pulses on its respective output leads in accordance withthe received coded signal. These pulses 19, when applied to therespective solenoids 8, bring about the retraction of the correspondingmagnetic cores 9. In the manner described above, the retracted cores 9release their associated shutters 13 which in turn uncover thecorresponding jewelled lenses 3. The lamp 10 of FIG. 3 may be energized,as for example, by turning on an automobile ignition switch, toilluminate the uncovered jewelled lenses so as to providevisualindication of the message designated by the received coded signal.In accordance with the invention, this visual indication isadvantageously maintained until the shutters are reset by rotating thereset knob 2- of FIG. 1.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 8, the pulses 19,

applied to the solenoids 8b and 8d, bring about the particular visualoutput indication which corresponds to that shown in FIG, 1 in which thejewelled lenses 3b and 3d are depicted as being illuminated by the lamp10 behind the face plate 1. Once the desired jewelled lenses, such as 3band 3d, are uncovered by their respective shutters, the control signalpulses 19 may be terminated while the visual indications remain withoutthe requirement of energizing power to the solenoids 8.

The described specific embodiment of the invention incorporates fiveapertures each of which may be either illuminated or not in'accordancewith the code transmitted from a central control point. Therefore, thereare 2 or 32 possible combinations of illuminated and unilluminatedjewels. Since one of these combinations namely that of all jewelsunilluminated, corresponds to the reset position, this provides for 31different messages which may be designated by the distinct codecombinations. However, it will be understood that the number of messagedesignations available may be varied as desired.

Although there has been described above a specific arrangement of anannunciator in accordance with the invention for the purpose ofillustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage,it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.Accordingly; any and all modifications, variations or equivalentarrangements falling within the scope of the annexed claims should beconsidered to be apart of the invention.

What is claimed is: i 1

1. A visual annuciator device comprising indicating means including aplurality of transparent lenses for transmitting light therethrough, alamp for illuminating said lenses, a plurality of shutters individuallyassociated with said lenses for selectively interrupting the lightfromsaid lamp at respective ones of said lenses, meansfor selectivelycontrolling the positions of individual one of said shutters inaccordance with the message designation to be visually indicated by thepassage of light through said lenses, said last mentioned meanscomprising a plurality of electromagnetically operated solenoidsindividually associated therewith, each of said solenoids having aspring loaded core of a magnetic material for holding said associatedshutter in a first position, a plurality of springs individuallyassociated with each of said shutters for rotating said shutters to asecond position, means for selectively energizing said solenoids inorder to retract selected ones of said cores in order that theassociated shutters may assume the second position, and resetting meansfor restoring said shutters to said first position.

2. A visual annunciator device comprising indicating means including aplurality of transparent lenses for transmitting light therethrough, alamp for illuminating said tively energizing said solenoids in order toretract certain of said cores and permit the associated shutters toassume a second position, and resetting means comprising a rotatablemounting plate, means for rotatably attaching said shutters to saidmounting plate, a plurality of shutter guides for restoring saidshutters to said first. position as said mounting plate is rotated, anda retaining spring connected to said mounting plate for restoring saidmounting plate to its original position after said shutters have beenreset.

3. A visual annunciator device comprising a face plate having aplurality of apertures therein, a mounting plate rotatable with respectto said face plate and positioned on one side thereof, a plurality ofshutters attached to said mounting plate and individually positionablerelative to corresponding ones of said face plate apertures, a pluralityof retaining springs individually biasing said shutters for directingsaid shutters toward positions uncovering said apertures, retractablemeans individually associated with said shutters for maintaining saidshutters in positions covering said apertures, means for selectivelyetracting said retractable means in order to uncover particular ones ofsaid apertures in a selected pattern, and means for rotating themounting plate to reset the shutters of the uncovered apertures.

4. An annnnciator device in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidretractable means comprises cores of magnetic material positionedcoaxially with respect to said solenoids and extending meansindividually associated with said cores for moving said cores to aposition to latch said shutters when said shutters are reset.

5. A visual annunciator device comprising a face plate having aplurality of apertures therein, a mounting plate rotatable With respectto said face plate and positioned on one side thereof, a plurality ofshutters attached to said mounting plate and individually positionablerelative to corresponding ones of said face plate apertures, a pluralityof retaining spring individually biasing said shutters for directingsaid shutters toward positions uncovering said apertures, retractablemeans individually associated with said shutters for maintaining saidshutters in positions covering said apertures, means for selectivelyretracting said retractable means in order to uncover particular ones ofsaid apertures in a selected pattern, and resetting means including aknob attached to said mounting plate, a mounting plate retaining springfor returning said mounting plate to its normal position, and aplurality of shutter guide lugs individually associated with saidshutters for returning said shutters to positions covering correspondingones of said apertures as said mounting plate is rotated.

6. A visual annunciator device comprising a face plate having aplurality of apertures therein, a mounting plate rotatable with respectto said face plate and positioned on one side thereof, a lurality ofshutters attached to said mounting plate and individually positionablerelative to corresponding ones of said face plate apertures, a pluralityof retaining springs individually biasing said shutters for directingsaid shutters toward positions uncovering said apertures, retractablemeans individually associated with said shutters for maintaining saidshutters in positions covering said apertures, means for selectivelyretracting said retractable means in order to uncover particular ones ofsaid apertures in a selected pattern, and means for directing lightthrough uncovered ones of said apertures including a housing behind saidface plate and a lamp enclosed Within said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 514,975 2/ 1894Watson 340-376 1,326,807 11/1919 Tanner 340-378.1 1,521,534 12/1924Herrman 340376 2,285,544 6/1942 Trogan 34()-373 2,448,959 9/ 1948 Conlan340-373 2,680,243 6/ 1954 Drathschmidth 340373 3,041,600 6/1962 Gumpertzet al 340-378 NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

E. JAMES SAX, ROBERT H. ROSE, Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,229,282 January 11, 1966 Donald E. Palmer It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, lines 25 to 27, for cordance with signals applied to theannunciator. A reset mitting light to provide a visual representation inaccordance with signals applied to the annunciator." read covered bytransparent jewelled lenses Sa-Se for transmitting light to provide avisual representation in accordance with signals applied to theannunciator. column 4, line 5, after "combinations" insert 8. commaSigned and sealed this 17th day of January 1967. LSEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer

2. A VISUAL ANNUNCIATOR DEVICE COMPRISING INDICATING MEANS INCLUDING APLURALITY OF TRANSPARENT LENSES FOR TRANSMITTING LIGHT THERETHROUGH, ALAMP FOR ILLUMINATING SAID LENSES, A PLURALITY OF SHUTTERS INDIVIDUALLYASSOCIATED WITH SAID LENSES FOR SELECTIVELY INTERRUPTING THE LIGHT FROMSAID LAMP AT RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID LENSES, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELYCONTROLLING THE POSITIONS OF INDIVIDUAL ONES OF SAID SHUTTERS INACCORDANCE WITH THE MESSAGE DESIGNATION TO BE VISUALLY INDICATED BY THEPASSAGE OF LIGHT THROUGH SAID LENSES, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANSCOMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED SOLENOIDSINDIVIDUALLY ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, EACH OF SAID SOLENOIDS HAVING ASPRING LOADED CORE OF A MAGNETIC MATERIAL ARRANGED TO HOLD SAIDASSOCIATED SHUTTER IN A FIRST POSITION, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZINGSAID SOLENOIDS IN ORDER TO RETRACT CERTAIN OF SAID CORES AND PERMIT THEASSOCIATED SHUTTERS TO ASSUME A SECOND POSITION, AND RESETTING MEANSCOMPRISING A ROTATABLE MOUNTING PLATE, MEANS ROTATABLY ATTACHING SAIDSHUTTERS TO SAID MOUNTING PLATE, A PLURALITY OF SHUTTER GUIDES FORRESTORING SAID SHUTTERS TO SAID FIRST POSITION AS SAID MOUNTING PLATE ISROTATED, AND A RETAINING SPRING CONNECTED TO SAID MOUNTING PLATE FORRESTORING SAID MOUNTING PLATE TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER SAIDSHUTTERS HAVE BEEN RESET.